Things being the way they are at the moment, can you see too many people interested in holidaying in Russia??? At least from the banned Country's, ( even if they were not banned?).
Sending a message, Russian style: Traitors to your Czar will be punished if they don't obey his will.
As someone born outside this country I can tell you nobody will show any interest invading us here, totally a pointless endeavour,
I had been thinking of going this summer actually
"He ordered to develop and distribute a series of videos demonstrating the inhumane behavior of the #AFU."
Convenient timing.
Things seem a bit surreal at the moment: Kadyrov, poisoning Abramovich...
Lived there for a few years a good while back, and was talking to a Russian last week, who invited me to visit again. I'm of two minds about it....think that I'll wait awhile and see how it goes in the next few mths. Have you been there before ?
If I was conspiratorially minded I might suggest this reflects the Americans not wanting Ukraine to win 'too much' to the point where Putin is humilitated and does something crazy...
I expect the US want a negotiated peace now to calm things down. The Russian military are effectively destroyed and it will take them decades to recover. They are no longer a threat to Europe bar their nuclear weapons. Just keep things calm for the next few years and hopefully Putins successor will be more amenable to dealing with the west.
Well, if they’re banning us it’s a good excuse to close Orwell Road.
You’d be completely crazy go to Russia at the moment.
“Security status
Do not travel
The Department of Foreign Affairs is recommending against travel to the Russian Federation until further notice, owing to a deterioration in access to secure banking and consequently one’s own funds, a severe limitation on transport options to and from the country, and the unpredictable security environment.
Irish citizens are advised to carefully consider their presence in Russia and those who wish to leave are advised to do so as quickly as possible.
In light of rapidly deteriorating flight corridors and increasing costs of tickets, Irish citizens in Russia may find themselves without viable routes back to Ireland. Further information on current limited departure options is below.”
He's not going to get them. Sadly.
I also spent quite a while in StP. Beautiful and fascinating city, at least in the centre. Lots of great Russian people and culture too. Feel sorry for them living in this mafia state and with seemingly little hope of things improving.
Novaya Gazeta, last proper independent newspaper, announced today it's ceasing operating till war is over as it's become impossible to report truthfully
been there 4 times, and been to Moscow, St Petersburg, Odessa and Sochi. Twice with work, tagging on some social, and twice to visit Russian friends. Always had a great time, and enjoyed the different culture and people. Had been planning a trip to travel across the country a little with them this year. Obviously not happening now, but I will go back one day and visit the hinterland as we’d planned.
U.S. intel. saying they were not poisoned. Caused by an environmental agent, probably...
An environmental agent just means they sprayed it into the air rather than putting it into the tea.
I suppose they’ll be trying to claim that it was just an old soviet air freshener, based on noxious skin irritant, with a hint of tear gas? Or they mixed up the Shake n’ Vac with the Novichok?
Pretty sure there have been various versions of this announcement made since the talks began; and nothing tangible has actually come out of it. We can always hope there is progress being made and it is genuine though.
Russia changing positions (they will still torpedo talks most likely, but interesting to see them modify, shows they are feeling the pressure from this)
Yes the English found that out pretty much during and the 800 years where they tried to subdue and subjegate the country in its entirety under the British crown in a process of invasion, bloody ethnic cleansing and violence.
Btw I'm no Republican but what Russia has attempted to do to Ukraine, ain't a million miles away from what the English and later British tried here. We still live with the legacy of that.
Missing what Russia looking for, the two "republics" and Crimea?
Which is no different to what the Spanish, French, Portuguese, etc did in their colonies and then of course the Germans came along and said "hold my beer". No one is saying that what the Russians are doing is historically unique. The shock is that it's happening in Europe in the 21st century at a time when we'd supposedly learned the lessons of our bloody history.
I would be weary of peace talks as Putin's track records here are not great. Russia could be buying time for a plan C or whatever ever the plan number they are on now.
As for the reported poisoning it depends on who the targets were. collateral damage been the buzzword
It is entirely possible that the USA are looking to provide just enough weaponry to prolong the war, but not enough to end it. The longer this conflict goes on, the more time it's going to take for Russia to rebuild their military after this and the less of a threat they will be in the short/medium-term at least. You also have the political capital that Putin is using up by continuing this war. He did seem to get an initial boost in support when the war first started. That won't last as long as Russians continue to arrive home in coffins, the economy tanks, and ordinary people can no longer get Western goods in stores. If you're America and you're looking at inflicting maximum damage on Russia, the best strategy is to let them exhaust themselves fighting a war over territory that really isn't even that vital to their national interest.
I thought the went straight to plan Z?
Says the coward most likely hiding in a bunker somewhere, who is afraid (let's be honest) to meet President Zelensky (or anyone) and whose only options at this stage are strategic nukes to claim some sort of "victory"
That news is presumably several weeks old, given that Abramovich no longer seems to be involved
Who said it was 'historically unique' or even that the world has learned the lessons?
But no none of that justifies either the invasion and ethnic cleansing of the Island of Ireland or indeed Russia's invasion of Ukraine
But more importantly it has nothing to do with the point made.
Whether it was just over a hundred years ago where Ireland was fighting its own battle for freedom or Ukraine now desperately doing the same, I believe that is one of the reasons that the Irish people have strong feelings about this invasion and deliberate ethnic cleansing of the Ukranian people by its neighbour Russia.
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://we.vanillicon.com/v2/e050b53be62f0ae2404c620976170938.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://w8.vanillicon.com/v2/8178309a5a0e69536b91519809ede871.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://w0.vanillicon.com/v2/07abd39dc4f0afde3c391afc78cc920e.svg)
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://we.vanillicon.com/v2/eedacf599b4135dfd56d6fdbddcbd867.svg)
